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CELEBRITIES are taking the plunge when it comes to their necklines, with some even using their V-necks as a nod to their love lives.
Less fabric on top is definitely better for Helen Flanagan and Khloe Kardashian. According to experts, the trend has become a conscious and powerful move.
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Body language pro Judi James says that showing your cleavage is no longer about ‘peacocking’ – a way to attract the opposite sex – but is now a matter of ‘I choose to’ rather than ‘I have to’ for strong and independent women.
Judi explains: “In the past, a cleavage was seen as a form of sexual advertising or flirting that was purely aimed at men.
“All that lifting and squeezing of the balcony bra was mainly seen as a form of ‘peacocking’ to attract a mate.
“As a symbol of projected power, the chest speaks for itself.
Judi James
“But this new trend of plunging necklines and striking sides seems much more like a signal of current and independence of women who do it because they want to and no longer need it to get attention, male approval or even a job.
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“It is also often a statement made by women who are single or in on-again, off-again relationships, sometimes even between men and women.
“This allows you to show your body confidence and make a bold statement, whether you are challenging the norm or simply want to express yourself, both to others and to yourself.”
“And like any good red carpet look, it can also be a competitive gesture.”
Judi says women on the red carpet typically compete for the plunging neckline, such as singer Lady Gaga and actress Julianne Moore, who wore plunging neckline dresses to this year’s Venice Film Festival.
Judi adds: “’Who dares, wins’ is the mantra in the celebrity world at the moment, with women competing to get the deepest piercings (sometimes all the way to the lower pelvis) or show everything but the nipples.
“As a symbol of projected power, the chest speaks for itself.
“Puffy and spread breasts are associated with superior power and alpha status, so this female version may convey a similar sense of status superiority.”
From chaotic but cute to fierce and confident, Judi takes the plunge and reveals the ‘V’-like secret messages celebrities send in their snaps…
Helena Flanagan
Chaotic but cute
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The 33-year-old actress has revealed that her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot is taking on the role of stepfather to her three children – Matilda, Delilah and Charlie.
The former Coronation Street star, who has children with her ex Scott Sinclair, left fans stunned last week when she revealed she was secretly dating despite appearing on E4 show Celebs Go Dating.
Judi says: “Helen seems keen to use her cleavage to send a message to the world that she is now an adult and does things on her own terms, despite what can often be seen as a chaotic love life.
It’s a statement pose and suggests she’s ready to take on the world
Judi James
“The tilt of her head shows her desire to be liked and approved of, but the pronounced cleavage seems like a gesture of choice to reveal a steely sense of life purpose behind the cuteness.”
Christine McGuinness
Cautious but powerful statement
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Christine and her ex-husband Paddy McGuiness announced that they will divorce in 2022 after 11 years of marriage.
Since then, the 36-year-old reality star has regularly posted sexy photos on her Instagram and is not afraid to show off her curves.
Judi says: “This is breastplate power from Christine, who carefully and impressively encases her breasts in a structured, metallic top.
“It has always been said that Amazonian warrior women bared their breasts as a sign of their fighting spirit and Christine’s elegant, striking pose here suggests she is ready to take on the world after her split from Paddy.”
Sofia Vegara
Fierce and confident
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The Hollywood actress split from her husband Joe Manganiello earlier this year and the couple proudly announced that it was an amicable affair.
The 52-year-old woman said her marriage ended because “her husband was younger; he wanted children and I didn’t want to be an old mother.
But her fashion sense proves that it doesn’t stop her from feeling powerful.
It’s a stunning display of self-confidence with an ironic twist on Hollywood imagery
Judi James
Judi says: “Sofia may have emerged on screen as a woman with some of the most impressive cleavage on TV, but now that she’s shown off her Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated acting chops – and established herself as a businesswoman – she could clearly keep her wealth a secret for the rest of her working life if she wanted to.
“But here she chooses to show a plunging neckline in what looks like a statement of proudletting us know that she is now in control and doing everything on her own terms.
“This ample display of breasts looks like the ultimate power move by a confident, successful woman fresh out of a divorce.”
Khloe Kardashian
Independent and determined
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She’s one of the most prominent members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, which means her private life is well-documented.
The 39-year-old reality star has had a turbulent love life, including with her former partner NBA star Tristan Thompson, who is the father of her two children.
Now that she’s single, Khloe shows no remorse — especially in her tight black dress.
Judi says: “One look at Khloe’s broad, square shoulders, her lifted chin plus her gaze into the camera and that glistening, self-supporting cleavage shows that Khloe wants to look edgy rather than sweetly masculine.
It was always said that female warriors of the Amazon region exposed their breasts as a sign of their fighting spirit.
Judi James
“This body language suggests independence and determination to live her life on her own terms now and date who she wants, regardless of the controversy.
“Khloe is now 40 and, with her ex Tristan still in her life, this is a pose that suggests ‘I can do this’ in terms of resilience and inner confidence.”
Denise Van Outen
Confident yet ironic
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Denise is known for her vibrant personality and impressive career, and it is clear that she is enjoying being a single woman.
The 49-year-old was previously married to actor Lee Mead, with whom they have a daughter Betsy, before splitting in 2013.
She is unscathed and exudes confidence after her split
Judi James
She was in a relationship with commodities trader Eddie Boxshall from July 2014. They lived together in Chelmsford, but that ended in January 2022.
Denise, who reportedly signed up for dating app Raya earlier this year, is now clearly taking the plunge with her fashion and proving she’s confident.
Judi says: “Denise’s breasts are exposed to her waist and hang naturally with an impressive cleavage that does not look inward or upward, which would create an unnatural effect.
“This sounds like a body language statement of ‘on my terms,’ despite the nod to the glamorous bosom of the 1950s.
“It’s a stunning display of self-confidence with an ironic twist on Hollywood imagery where she shows her ex or other men that she still looks her best and has an abundance of self-confidence after the breakup.”
Is the plunging neckline back in fashion?
By Abby McHale, Deputy Fashion Editor of Fabulous
Clothes with a plunging neckline, such as a V-neck or sweetheart neckline, can often be the most flattering.
It draws attention to your décolleté, a very flattering part of your body.
There is nothing wrong with showing a little cleavage. It is part of your body and should not be hidden, no matter how big or small your breasts are.
I’m all for it, but when I do wear something layered, I often find myself wearing something a little less revealing on the bottom to balance out my look.
This could mean wearing a low-cut top tucked into jeans, with a blazer over it to dress it up. Showing off your cleavage doesn’t have to look slutty.
It’s all about balance and what you feel comfortable wearing.
